Ospreys out to complete Italian job

9 September 2010 16:55

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The Ospreys will be creating their own slice of history when they tackle Italian outfit Benetton Treviso for the first time in the Magners League tomorrow night (KO 7.05pm)

Director of Coaching, Scott Johnson, commented:"It's a little bit of history on Friday night, the first time that an Italian team comes to the Liberty Stadium for a Magners League game. It's not a completely new experience for us, we've played Italian sides including Treviso in Europe before, but I think it's going to be a different kind of challenge now.

"The Italian sides have recruited well over the summer, there's been some good Italian players returning home and that's been backed by some intelligent foreign signings. I think it's excellent news for the Magners League and is a real step forward. Bringing the Italian sides into the competition has added another dimension to the competition, a different flavour, and it's exciting.

"The result against the Scarlets sent out a clear message, but one thing's for certain, we were well aware of the threat before that game, and we will be approaching the game in exactly the same way we would any other, don't worry about that one.

"I wasn't surprised by the result, it was good for the tournament and good for Treviso. It's also a great credit to the Magners that we've got a new team in and they've done well first up.

"I think Italian rugby's really on the up. I've watched improvement over the last few years, subtly, and the results probably haven't gone their way. But there's genuine talent across the board, they've got more players to pick from and we expect a very physical encounter.

"As for ourselves, we were disappointed with the end result last week, it was a game we should have won and could have won. We let ourselves down in some ways, I don't need to tell you where, we could have played better and we are a little disappointed.

"That result means we're a little behind where we wanted be, but I'll say what I've said before, the Melbourne Cup isn't won at the Watchtower and we're not there yet.

"We've been able to make some alterations to the 23 but we are where we are with the squad, there's not a lot of difference from last week. We've got a duty of care to our players, our internationals, we want them right at certain times of the year. They need their preparations, this is their time, and we've got to acknowledge where we are as a group.

"It's a really important time for us, for some of our kids. We've got an eye on next year, when we need some mileage on the clock for some of the players that will be used. I don't need a brand new car next season I need some good mileage going into next year, so it's important that the clock starts ticking."

The Wales squad met back up this morning to prepare for the clash against England - WRU TV caught up with Neil Jenkins who said the squad were under no illusions for their next task but a trip to Twickenham doesn't hold any fears for a confident Wales side.

Wales hooker Ken Owens was delighted to get the NatWest 6 Nations off to a flying start with a convincing win against Scotland, where he says the squad were determined to deliver a performance 'from minute one.'

Welsh referee Nigel Owens will create history in the opening round of the NatWest 6 Nations clash at Stade de France where France face Ireland, when he surpasses the previous record of 17 Six Nations matches held by Alain Rolland and Jonathan Kaplan, as WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie discovers

Just two days until the NatWest 6 Nations kicks off. George North takes WRU TV around the players area at Principality Stadium after going through security - which fans will have to do on Saturday. Gates open at 11.15 - don't leave it late!

Next in the series of #TheTeamRoom we listen in to the first leadership group in camp. The players were asked to nominate their peers who they wanted to represent them on the group and we hear what Warren and the players have to say.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland was in a positive frame of mind at today's NatWest 6 Nations launch but admitted the opening clash in Cardiff was a 'massive' game as everyone is talking about the rise of Scotland.